Don’t let concerns about your age affect your career path

Despite the fact that age is nothing but a number, it’s a top concern for many job seekers. Here’s a question I’ve heard often, in one form or another, so I’m sharing it with my blog readers, along with my thoughts on the issue.

I have had a job for a long time, but now I’m in my 50s and looking for work. What are the chances I’ll find a job when younger job seekers require less money?

This is one area that worries almost every job candidate, regardless of age, and yet it’s an issue you really have no control over; everyone grows older.

Your chances of being offered a good job depend on several factors, and the approach you take when presenting your experience to employers influences their decisions. For example, one crucial mistake made by job seekers nearing conventional retirement age is to bring up the subject of age.

Many candidates mix the topic of retirement into their search. At a recent event, two candidates said they were semi-retired, but were bored and were looking for part-time positions. Each said he had held positions with a great deal of responsibility and now wanted to work to stay busy. They were looking for any work that would leave time to spend with their grandchildren.

Compare their descriptions to someone who wants to work part-time — and leaves out the parts about being semi-retired and the grandchildren, focusing on helping the prospective employer instead.

Which candidate would interest an employer, the one who is semi-retired and will do anything, or the candidate who wants to use their abilities and experience to help an employer? One is self-focused, the other is employer-focused.

Here are some factors that can help keep age out of the equation:

• Before using the word “retirement” to describe your identity, think of the image you would like to leave with a potential employer. Words create powerful images.

• Analyze the important reasons you want to work. Is it because you are bored or need the extra income?

• Leverage your experience and wisdom by creating value for the employer because you can help them solve their problems.

• Know what sets you apart from the other job candidates. Identify your skills.

• Make use of social media.

• Find out the problems an employer is facing and what their needs are. Be employer-focused.

• Focus on areas of interest when talking to people about opportunities.

• Be flexible when talking about titles and compensation. Don’t compare past jobs with the current opportunity.

Has your age ever come up in your job search? How did you approach it?